Dr. Eileen Culloty, Assistant Professor at Dublin City University and Deputy Director of the Institute for Future Media, Democracy and Society, has authored an insightful piece for RTÉ Brainstorm titled "Why public libraries are ideal spaces to promote media literacy." In this article, she explores the pivotal role public libraries play in fostering media literacy and countering the spread of disinformation and conspiracy theories.
Dr. Culloty emphasizes that public libraries serve as "third spaces"—neutral, community-centered environments where individuals can engage in critical thinking and access reliable information. She argues that these institutions are uniquely positioned to support democratic engagement by providing resources and programs that enhance media literacy skills.
Highlighting initiatives like the MIL CC (Media and Information Literacy and Critical Competences) project, Dr. Culloty illustrates how libraries can be instrumental in equipping citizens with the tools needed to navigate the complex media landscape. She underscores the importance of libraries in building resilience against misinformation by promoting informed inquiry and civic participation.
The article is available here.
About MIL CC: Funded by the European Media and Information Fund and coordinated by the University Institute of Lisbon (Iscte), the MIL CC project aims to strengthen media and information literacy (MIL) across Europe by upskilling public librarians. Supported by partners in Portugal, Spain, and Ireland—including DGLAB, BAD, SEDIC, LGMA, Public Libraries 2030, and Media Literacy Ireland—the project will deliver a multilingual hybrid training course for librarians, establish clear standards for community-based MIL projects, and build a collaborative network of European libraries committed to advancing media literacy in local communities.
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Funded by the European Media and Information Fund and coordinated by University Institute of Lisbon (Iscte), this project responds to an urgent need to upskill Europe’s public librarians with media and information literacy (MIL). Public libraries play a crucial and trusted community role. They are venues for lifelong learning and social integration and they reach members of the community who are often neglected by traditional MIL interventions. To realise their potential, public libraries mus...
